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unusual wood floor installation . . . potential problems?

16 years ago

Hi All,

I haven't been a member of this forum for long, but it has already proven invaluable!

We're doing a complete renovation of our NYC apartment and we're at the point where we need to decide whether to refinish the solid-wood parquet floors or install new wood (hardwood or engineered) floors. We're on the 37th floor and we have concrete slab floors. There is currently 3/4 inch solid oak parquet tiles which have been solidly glued down since the 60's. The tiles are in good shape, but the floor (and underlying slab) has some significant highs and lows.

My GC wants to trowel self-leveling cement directly on to the parquet, then install a vapor barrier, then nail wood flooring into the parquet. I have spoken with several of his other clients and they say that their floors have held up well. Nonetheless, I'm concerned. Should I be? What are the obvious pitfalls?

One solution could be to trowel the self-leveling cement on to the parquet and then float engineered wood over it. Any possible problems with this method?

Another solution would be to scape up the existing parquet in an attempt to save some precious ceiling height, deal with the glue residue (don't I sound like a pro!), then trowel on self-leveling cement, and finally float engineered wood. Am I getting closer? Are there possible issues with the glue residue reacting with the self-leveling cement?

The final and most expensive solution would be to remove the parquet, level the concrete, attach plywood subfloors (how should they be attached) and then nail into the plywood. But this is the most labor intensive and I'm not sure it produces a better result than just floating the wood.

Thanks Thanks!!!!

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Comments (5)

glennsfc
16 years ago
So, you're going to go into business as a wood floor specialist someday?

A system such as that made by Ardex can be applied over most adhesive residues by adding the appropriate admixture to the product.

Most floating engineered products are in the prefinished category. Your final solution gives you the opportunity to have a site finished solid wood floor. Then, of course, there are those hardwoods that are attached to two layers of plywood that remain unattached to the substrate. Have you considered that option?

There are some glue down unfinished engineered wood floors in the market, so there is one more thing for you to consider.

Does your apartment building require you to install sound attenuating products?
freckless
Original Author
16 years ago
Is there a self-leveling product that can be poured over the parquet?
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glennsfc
16 years ago
Not really, but I am sure some have done that to fix 'birdbaths' in a wood floor prior to applying a new one over.

However, be aware that a self-leveling underlayment will flow EVERYWHERE...even down nail holes and between wood slats, under wall areas and anywhere that is not well sealed or diked to prevent its travel as it reaches its final placement. You could lose alot of product down between the parquet slats and under the stuff.

If you were to attempt such a thing, then you would have to use the very expensive two-part primer and add the resilient admixture to the leveler. And, you would have absolutely no warranty from the self-leveler manufacturer, as it would be an unusual application.
floorguy
16 years ago
Think about pouring a water mix over a solid wood and encapsulate it, then think twice about what is going to happen.
glennsfc
16 years ago
Yes, very risky business. I've fixed birdbaths the way I described, but I've been doing floors for a long time and I know how far you can push the performance envelope of the products available to us.

The best option is the one the poster would like to avoid...total removal and substrate repair.

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